Work Text:
If there was one thing that was totally unchangeable in their friends group that was support for each member of it. It's been years since they randomly started to hang out all together, gaining just a couple of permanent additions throughout this time.
They were really tight knit from the very start. Life wasn't standing still, so some could skip gatherings, fall into relationships and habits and out of them, bring multiple people and chase them away, but one thing remained the same: it was the fact that no matter what happened, whether bad or good, they were ready to cheer one another, ready to make their day using any excuse.
They celebrated getting driving licenses, jobs, work and hobby achievements. They celebrated holidays and birthdays, getting well and purchasing something one has been saving up for ages.
Namjoon wanted to support his hyung who recently started a new job. He's been struggling to find one for a while, for four months to be exact. Nothing was just going the way he was expecting. One salon he found closed right away because of tax problems. Another turned out to be a cover up for a shady business so Jin quickly escaped it. The rest either didn't want to pay even minimal wage or were overhyped so much that their requirements for employees have become totally unrealistic.
It was baffling for Namjoon. He heard his hyung was brilliant at what he was doing. He himself hasn't yet been on the receiving end of his services but Hobi, for example, often asked him for help once he began being really into dyeing his hair in bright colours for his performances. And the result was awesome, ready to go onto the pages of magazines.
Namjoon decided to let his hair grow rather long and actually has been sticking to his decision for way over a year. He wasn't planning on doing anything to it but he could see without having a personal experience that Seokjin was one of the best out there. So when his hyung finally got at least a part time job in a hairdresser's in his area. He has seen photos of it in s group chat and loved them. He hoped this time it will be a success.
He went into one of his hyung's favourite coffee shops. Not that he had been keeping a special list of places Seokjin told them he liked, saved in his notes under a secret name, but okay, maybe he did. He named a lengthy coffee order and some cream filled pastries and headed to the salon.
Half Up Half Down
Namjoon spotted the elder immediately as he approached. The large windows of the place were allowing to see what was happening inside and he stood on the sidewalk for a moment just watching Seokjin work. At the moment he seemed to be cleaning his station and there was noone waiting to be called in so he assumed it was a good time to walk in and try to get hid hyung to take s little break.
"Oh, Namjoonie, what a surprise!" Jin clapped his hands when he saw the younger shufflingbnext to the administrator's desk, "Come in, come in, there won't be anyone for a while".
"Is that not against the rules?" Namjoon looked around.
"No, the owner is super chill. And it's close to my break anyway".
"This is for you", he offered Seokjin the treats and it put him in an even better mood.
They sat at the small table in the tiny staff room as Jin devoured the food. He kept looking at Namjoon and he suddenly became a little conscious if his appearance. In a few minutes he gathered his courage to ask:
"Is there something wrong with the way I look?"
Seokjin looked up at his friend and gave him a good up and down look.
"Nothing out of the ordinary. Although..."
Namjoon nervously tucked a long lock of his hair behind his ear.
"...You could do with a new haircut".
"Oh, you think so?"
Namjoon touched his long grown hair. He got to tying it into a simple low bun, having been letting his hair grow freely. It was nice not to think about cutting it pretty much anymore.
"Don't get me wrong, Joonie, you look stunning as usual", Seokjin complimented him, "But if you feel like a little bit of change we can do it right now. Or maybe just a bit of styling if you really want to keep the length?"
"I suppose I could try", he mumbled and after Jin finished his impromptu lunch Namjoon was led to the chair and sat into it in front of the mirror.
Jin arranged his tools and took the hairband off, sliding his hands along the length of Namjoon's hair.
"You surely keep it in good condition", Jim hummed, inspecting his hair, "I can see hiw much time you dedicate to it".
"Thank you, hyung, I try my best".
If he thought that was nice, he was definitely not prepared for what came after.
He never really went to any kind of salons that much, preferring to do everything at home by himself. Not like there was much to do apart from his hair and skincare routine. He was more focused on the gym and he didn't expect how actually nice it felt. To sit there in a comfortable chair, to listen to soft music, to have someone to take care of him like that. It was amazing.
And of course it was a dozen times more amazing because it was his hyung who was doing it. They had a wonderful time chatting and laughing. Jin was cracking jokes and Namjoon didn't know what to do with himself. He really loved spending time with Seokjin and not only within their friendly little group. It was a chance to be with him one on one and secretly admire him, the way his hands moved, the way he smiled.
Bro Flow
Namjoon kept to the style Jin made for him for quite a while. He was especially liking the details, the tiny braids he made on both sides of his head and fixated them with tiny clear silicone bands. It made him look different and also made his mind go back to ther interaction in the salon.
He wanted to do it again. It was a nice feeling to get the service from Jin and he waited at least a week before coming in again. This time he made sure there was a time slot he booked and Seokjin was surprised to see him coming back so soon.
"I was thinking about your offer, hyung. That I should change something. And I decided that I could try a haircut this time. What do you think?" he looked at the elder expectantly.
"Awesome!" he clapped his hands, "I know just the thing that would suit you very well. Come on, have a look and see if you like it. If not you can always choose anything else, there are plenty of options".
Namjoon looked on the page of the magazine his hyung was offering him. The style was called bro flow and it was already quite shorter than what he had at the moment, though with the hair on the back remaining pretty long. Between the option of keeping it and receiving a haircut from Seokjin, he chose the latter. He decided to go for it. He remembered what his father used to say to him when he started having issues with his hair. "Hair isn't teeth", he would cackle, "It will grow again most likely".
Joon sat in the chair and started paying more attention to details this time. He watched the way his hyung's hands were moving so professionally and effortlessly. He knew how much effort and time Jin paid to his education and practice and it was really admirable.
Yes, he admired his hyung, as a friend and maybe a little more. It would be so nice to tell Jin how it felt but maybe it was not just the right time, at least right now. He could enjoy his company and his chatter, support the conversation to the best of his abilities and the big mirror in front of him gave him the best view of the elder in that apron that suited him so well.
Once Jin was done, Namjoon looked at himself from all the angles possible.
"It's so different", he said, "I really love it. How did you manage to make me look even better?"
"Ah, I worked with what I had", he smiled and patted Namjoon on the shoulder, "I think this makes you look really cute. And Joonie, when you go out, pay attention to everything around. You will see heads turning to your direction".
Namjoon's cheeks started getting hot. Little did hid hyung know that the only head he wanted to be turned into his direction was exactly his.
Permed Mullet
This time he managed to hold on for the whole two weeks. They still saw each other at their group gatherings, laughed and drank with him when they hung out all together, but it just wasn't the same feel. It was still nice but he craved that kind of interaction where there were just the two of them.
When two weeks went by he decided to book an appointment in Jin's salon again. And this time he decided not to come empty handed. Namjoon recently heard from someone in the group chat that Seokjin took a likinh to carnations, not the burgundy or red type, but those white ones with pretty pink hem on the petals. He decided to get them for him just for the hell of it.
Namjoon didn't even bother to look up some sort of holiday so it could be an excuse for giving such a gift. Maybe it was time to slowly begin to let him know that he was an admirer. He didn't know how difficult it would actually be to find that type of flowers. Luckily he managed to do it on time and arrived to the salon with a neatly wrapped bouquet.
He offered it to Seokjin right when he entered the establishment.
"Oh, are these for me? They are so beautiful, Joonie, thank you so much! They smell amazing. What a way to make my day. Or are you going to ask for some sort of impossible haircut that I don't know how to do?" he laughed cutely while putting the flowers in a vase.
"No, no, I don't have anything in mind, really. Could you give me an option from that magazine again, hyung? You have a great taste. I trust it".
"If you're sure", Seokjin drawled.
He picked up the magazine and the flipped through the pages.
"Have a look at this. I saw this on one of the artists attending the ceremony on TV lately and it looked wonderful. But tell you what, it will look even more wonderful on you!"
Namjoon felt thrilled. He knew his hyung was usually generous for compliments towards anybody around and it was one more thing that he liked about him. He saw the style that was called permed mullet and immediately agreed without thinking too much. It looked good enough and it gave him a great opportunity to have this experience with Jin again.
This time it took a little bit more time than before because he had to perm the hair on the back. It was still sort of long but nothing like it used to be before. He was changing his style so rapidly but he couldn't care less about the hair to be honest. He didn't even remember the reason why he decided to let it grow that long in the first place.
What mattered were Seokjin's smiles and the time that they spent together, talking about stuff that didn't come up in a friends group usually. It was like learning him anew and letting him learn the man Namjoon was better.
Curtain Cut
"My favourite is here", Namjoon heard upon entering, "Here no matter the weather".
It was raining that day and he forgot his umbrella, which he almost often did. He took off his coat and greeted his hyung. He looked amazing today as usual and Namjoon anticipated spending a lovely time with him. He was whipped but what could he do?
"Because my favourite stylist is here", he replied quietly but his hyung still heard him.
Jin looked a little shy. Admittedly, it was easy to get him flustered and sometimes the whole group took advantage of that fact, teasing him mercilessly. Yet sometimes it was obvious that it was a different kind of embarrassment from the compliments that were given to him and Namjoon never came without some sort of praise on his lips. And it felt just so nice, he wasn't going to stop anytime soon
He wondered what his hyung thought about this whole thing. Was he thinking that he was behaving somehow weird or did he write it off to something else, to maybe the fashion or trend that Namjoon started following, changing his appearance so often?
The visit went pretty much as usual until they finished with the cut and were about to began styling.
"I have something to offer you today" the elder said suddenly.
They were trying something that was called a curtain cut today. The picture looked wonderful and Seokjin assured that it would look absolutely marvelous on Namjoon. He couldn't help but agree. Honestly, he knew nothing about hairstyles, he was more into clothes. That's where he could potentially give advice, but here he just fully gave himself to Seokjin.
"What is it, hyung?" he asked, full of curiosity, "I'm open to all your suggestions".
"Such a good boy, Joonie", he said in a joking way and Namjoon's heart jumped, "How about trying something new? As you can see there's still some length in the back to work with so why don't we do something like colorful streaks? That would be lovely, would give you that kind of pop look".
"Sounds great! What color would you suggest?"
"Pink of course! It's my favorite. A little bit of me on uou, doesn't it sound lovely?"
"Yes!" Namjoon chuckled nervously, "Sure!".
Namjoon answered without hesitation. There was a mess of emotions inside his chest, bubbling like a soda. He felt over the moon. Is it what love felt like?
"I love them", he said when his hyung was done, "You truly have hands of gold".
"Always such a charmer, Joonie".
Seokjin was holding a mirror so the younger could see the back. It looked unusual and he loved it, more not because of the visual but because it was his hyung's doing.
He thought that it was time to do something and soon. Because it didn't seem like he had that much hair left on him to drag this out.
Short Messy Hair
The elder greeted him as his friend entered the salon once again. It hasn't been that long from his last visit but he guessed he started getting used to Namjoon's spontaneous urges.
Maybe they weren't actually that spontaneous. He saw his name on the schedule and couldn't believe his eyes at first. Namjoon really got into the whole haircut thing so suddenly. It was the same as with Hoseok. He was refusing to dye his hair for ages, for literally years and once he tried it, he couldn't stop. Jin guessed the same thing happened with the younger.
Namjoon was pretty amazing to work with because he was so eager to accept any of his suggestions, wasn't picky and seemed to really enjoy his visits. He didn't have a certain style or goal in mind yet and he was like a blank canvas where Seokjin could paint whatever he wanted.
And also there were their conversations. He had to admit it: through all the years that he's known Namjoon they never went that deep. They mostly hung out all together and of course discussed many important topics and have been for each other through the toughest and the best times.
But they didn't spend that much time one on one and it opened the younger from a different perspective. He could see Namjoon from different point of view now, learn things that he never imagined and thought he would be into. And despite Jin himself not opening up that easily, he too started to share many things that he never discussed in the group.
It was inevitable that they were getting closer and he wasn't sure where it was leading in the beginning, but now he had a bit more of an idea and he was here for it.
This time Jin decided to make sure that it was exactly what the younger liked. He offered several options for him to choose from and told about each in particular. They stopped on short messy hair type of style and Seokjin once again was amazed how everything fitted Namjoon so nicely.
Today he came in holding one of his favourite coffee orders again and with a weekly planner in his hands, out of all things. It would be an odd thing to gift so randomly and without the excuse of the holiday again if not for the fact that Seokjin himself mentioned in the group chat he needed one but didn't have enough time to go shopping just yet.
"Thank you, Namjoonie. I appreciate this", he ran his hand through Namjoon's freshly styled hair, prompting the younger to give him a shy dimpled smile in return.
And what a smile that was. It made Jin all fuzzy and warm inside, made him want to keep running his hand through his hair and compliment the younger man who was slowly taking more and more space in his heart. Why was he hiding himself all these years?
French Crop
This was getting slightly alarming. The one or two weeks period that Namjoon waited before getting another haircut was nowhere close to enough for it to grow out again. And there were only so many styles they could choose from depending on the current length.
Yet Namjoon was booking appointments adamantly, with a determination of a snow avalanche that was rolling down the mountain. Basically, it was clear to the stylist he wasn't going to stop. When he tried to raise the topic of hair growth he made sure that Namjoon was very much aware of it. He was intelligent and knowledgeable but he was a person of art and Jin assumed it was possible something could escape his current thoughts process.
But no. He was very much aware of what he was doing.
"I'm doing outfits of the day to evety style you did on me, hyung", he announced out if the blue and Jin felt so so fond.
"Will you show me? I haven't seem anything like that posted on your social media".
"I decided yo incorporate them into my current art project. But surely I'll show you everything".
"I love your work. You're exceptional, Joonie" Seokjin complimented and delightfully noted the younger's shy and pleased expression.
This whole thing was turning into a disaster and as a responsible hyung he had to do something about it. He respected Namjoon's choices, but he just had to make sure.
"Maybe you should try and keep this style for a little longer? It suits you so well", he suggested carefully.
"I probably should, right?" Namjoon smiled, "But I just can't help it. I love the change and besides, it's a perfect opportunity to see you in action".
Seokjin groaned.
"You could do that literally watching my channel. There's like, a couple of hundred videos of me styling and cutting hair".
"But I can't deliver you coffee through the screen!" He argued petulantly and it sounded so so silly.
He even had the audacity to pout. Which was unfairly adorable, by the way.
There was a lot that he found adorable in the younger man. He knew before how kind, compassionate and handsome he was. But now he had Namjoon on the back of his mind all the time. Literally not a single day went by without Jin thinking about him.
Seokjin decided to let it go for now. But he won't let it slide just like that. A little investigation was Iin order.
After Namjoon left he observed the group chat. He was looking for the most reliable (read more likely to spill secrets) people from it and he made a wonderful choice. He decided to have a spa day and talk about this unusual behavior of Namjoon with two of his friends. He needed to find out what exactly was going on because as much as he wanted to believe it was a fashion choice his intuition told a different story.
And did his investigation bring results!
Caesar Cut
Seokjin wanted to cry. From laughter or not he wasn't yet sure. He cracked Namjoon like he did it with one of his complicated puzzles he would sometimes bring to their friend gatherings and amuse everyone with.
And also Tae spilled everything with a little wine involved when they went to a spa with Jimin. What a masterful plan that was.
He really made the best choice looking for the source of information. They came in and roughly after an hour he started fishing for information. They were sitting wrapped in their towels, snacking on cheese and drinking wine, having a blast chatting about this and that. He chose the best moment to bring up his concerns.
Jin asked this conversation to remain between the three of them and the youngers eagerly agreed. He told them everything from the very first meeting in the salon when Namjoon came to congratulate him on the job, which it wasn't really that big of a thing. It was only part-time to go along with his income from the channel but Namjoon took it pretty seriously. And that was so sweet of him.
He told them about all the gifts he brought him and all the things that he mentioned that weren't pieces of very personal information, of course. He recited all the haircuts that he's done for the past few months and now that he put it all together it really seemed a little bizarre. Jin knew Namjoon was a passionate man. He was an artist, he was burning when he got inspired by something and that art project he told him about could well be the reason for his behavior.
But Taehyung and Jimin definitely knew what was up. They spilled the beans. They heard from someone whose name they didn't want to disclose that Namjoon got really taken with someone lately. Seokjin didn't have to wonder about the name for that long because the whole thing happened in the gym and the only two gym fanatics that went to the same place were Namjoon and Jungkook. So there was that, the source seemed really reliable.
So Namjoon shared that there was this person he would visit from time to time that he really wanted to ask out on a date. But instead of doing so he always ends up using the services they offered at their workplace. It would be so funny if it wasn't a little bit sad too. It seemed like Namjoon was really struggling. That sweet sweet man.
Seokjin voiced his compassion but got laughed at in return.
"How dare you! Kids these days", he complained and then it dawned on him.
That the person was actually him. Right? He needed the confirmation which his friends couldn't really do directly but he pretty much gathered that he was right.
It was astounding. A man like Namjoon wanted to take him on a date? Should he help him with it or should he just wait? But until when the younger was going to drag it out? The latest cut that he did was pretty short and Jin was afraid there would be nothing left before Joonie finally pops the question.
He recalled their last few meetings. It actually seemed like Namjoon was gaining a little confidence. He even placed his arm around his waist a couple of times and to say it was thrilling was saying nothing. Jin hated to wait things out but he had no choice. Besides, he wasn't sure he himself was confident enough to ask the younger on the date. Just thinking about it made him want to scream.
Namjoon visited him pretty soon. And this time Jin was on a mission.
He eagerly complimented back and was much more touchy with the younger, just to see how he would react. Of maybe not just because of that. Who was he kidding? He was an attractive man, with the smile to die for and the body Seokjin surely knew how to handle. Now that he knew Namjoon's intentions he couldn't help but picture it in his mind, all the things they could be doing.
The younger would give him smouldering looks. He was still shy but his cocky side was showing too. And Seokjin loved it. The tension between them was getting so obvious. He didn't want to wait anymore.
Buzz Cut
"Oh, Joonie", he said, meeting the younger in his salon again.
He actually realised the vast difference between the hair that he had weeks ago and was sporting now. Namjoon even kept sliding his fingers next to his ears as if still tucking it behind them, only the hair wasn't there anymore. But the bodily memory of it remained. Jin again didn't know whether he should be sad or amused about it. Maybe a bit of both. This man was playing with his heart now, looking all cute and acting so fascinating.
"Hi, hyung", he greeted him, shuffling his foot, as if he was embarrassed to be here again.
"What is it going to be today? But just so you know, there's isn't much left for us to do..."
"My friend recently got a buzzcut and it looks really cool on him. He said it gave him plenty of confidence", he announced.
Seokjin groaned. He had no choice, did he? He motioned at the chair and Namjoon rushed there like an overexcited puppy. He seemed a bit more nervous today, wringing his hands together and looking to the sides. And he looked mildly horrified when he looked at himself in the mirror but didn't say a thing about it though Jin asked him several times if he was sure.
It didn't take long for Seokjin to complete this look. Actually, unless Namjoon waited at least a month or two, he could spend no more time on him because there was literally nothing to style anymore.
"Here we go", he said, using a big brush to clean off excess cut hair from Namjoon's neck, "You're good to go".
"How do I look, hyung?"
"Fantastic. Like a very good egg but also handsome", Jin concluded, not really knowing what else to say.
Namjoon's face lit up. He smiled widely, teeth and all. He carefully ran his hand over his head and he had such a sweet and slightly confused expression on his face. Like he couldn't quite understand how the hell that happened.
"What time do you finish?"
"In a couple of hours", Jin replied.
Now that was finally going somewhere, he thought. Or not. Joon nodded and left, thanking and praising Seokjin for his wonderful work.
"In this situation, is he the fool or am I one?" he wondered to himself.
He finished his shift and stayed to clean the station and then collect his belongings. He wasn't one hundred percent sure Namjoon would show up, but the possibility was rather high.
And Namjoon did show up.
Jin was about to close the salon for tonight when he noticed someone standing outside it. It was a pretty familiar figure in the signature puffer jacket and he recognized Namjoon within three seconds of staring at him. He walked to the entrance and gave him a little wave.
"Come on in", he said, "Don't just stand there".
Namjoon stepped up to the door with a huge beautifully wrapped bouquet in his hands. They were all white carnations, the same ones with the pink hem on the petals that he liked so much. Only this time it was bigger and the ribbon was slightly askew. There was a high chance Joon put it together himself. He also had a box with treats in his hands and wasn't it just the most adorable sight Seokjin saw in a while.
There was a beanie on his head, haphazardly put on, like he didn't even bother putting it all the way on his head. And that buzz cut was really showing from under it, reminding the stylist hiw it felt under his fingers just a short while ago.
"Hyung! Will you go out on a date with me?" he blurted out and squeezed the bouquet tighter in his arms.
Seokjin walked up to him and carefully loosened the hold on the flowers so they remained relatively intact until he had a chance to put them in the water. Those arms, he thought, they better be around me that tight and as soon as possible.
"Of course I'll go out with you", he responded, "I've been waiting for it for a little while".
"Were you? Sorry for making you wait then", he smiled and passed Jin everything he had in his arms, "I have several options".
Jin found himself unable to hold back.
"Are they from the magazine too?"
"Hyung!" Namjoon lowered his head, visibly embarrased, "You will be teasing me about this until my hair turns grey, right?"
"Absolutely not", he claimed, "When they turn grey I'll just dye them again so I don't lose this wonderful opportunity to retell the story".
He planted a fleeting kiss on Namjoon's cheek, sealing this playful promise. Something told him he won't be able to break it, no matter what happened.